• MOUMITA BARIK

A comparative study was conducted to assess the cognitive functions among hypertensive and normotensive elderly in selected rural community, West Bengal with the objectives to assess and compare the cognitive functions between hypertensive and normotensive elderly. The conceptual framework adopted for this study was based on the health belief model. Semi-structured interview schedule to obtain demographic data and mini mental status examination to assess cognitive functions were used to collect data from100 hypertensive and 100 normotensive elderly, selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. The study findings revealed that majority of the hypertensive elderly performed poorly than normotensive elderly indicating that majority of the hypertensive elderly had cognitive impairment than normotensive elderly in all domain of cognitive functions. In this study cognitive impairment was more (OR = 3.08) in hypertensive elderly than normotensive elderly. There was a significant association present between cognitive impairment and sociodemographic variables like age, education and usage of anti-hypertensive drugs. The study has several implications in the field of nursing education, nursing practice, nursing administration and nursing research. It was recommended that a study can be conducted on determination of socio demographic factors associated with the cognitive impairment among elderly.

1. Elderly Elderly people mean who are 60 years and above. 2. Cognitive function Cognitive function refers to mental processes involved in the acquisition of knowledge, manipulation of information and reasoning and it includes the domains of perception, memory, learning, attention, decision making and language abilities. In this study, cognitive functions measured by Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). 3. Hypertensive Individuals who are diagnosed as hypertensive by physician and under modern medicine (antihypertensive drugs) as evidence by record. 4. Normotensive The individuals who are not diagnosed by physician as hypertensive.

"A comparative study to assess the level of cognitive functions among hypertensive and normotensive elderly in selected rural community of West Bengal ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no.h512-h618, August-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRTHE2146.pdf

"A comparative study to assess the level of cognitive functions among hypertensive and normotensive elderly in selected rural community of West Bengal ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no. pph512-h618, August-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRTHE2146.pdf